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Lucie knew from things her grandma had said that her mum’s pregnancy was quick and unexpected. “You were eighteen, my age when you had me.” The tears had stopped falling, although occasionally Lucie hiccupped and a sob came out.
Her mum sighed. “Yes. I had all these plans for university, but your dad’s career was more important than my education.”
“I’m surprised he was okay with you having a baby.”
Her mum stuttered. “He wasn’t initially. But that’s another story. He had a lot of girlfriends before me, and I suppose I was the lucky one that he settled down with.”
The revelations were falling fast from her mum. “Do you ever think about the French guy?”
“Alain? I did for a while, but having two girls under five meant I was busy enough. Alain friend requested me on Facebook the other day, but I was worried about your dad seeing that I’d added him. Your dad ignored me for a couple of days when I added one of the guys from work. I had a good snoop on Alain’s page though.” Her mum went quiet again, and the banging from downstairs replaced the silence. Then suddenly it was a lot quieter there too. “You shouldn’t miss your chance though. You should meet with that boy.”
“Chris?”
“Yes, Chris.” Her mum pushed a piece of paper in her hand. “Here is your phone number. Your dad won’t know. I’ll find a way for you to look at your phone even though you’re grounded. I told your dad to go out for a drink with Steve and Jacky. They’re going to keep him busy so that you don’t need to worry about him. I encouraged him to make the most of his last night. I’m sorry I didn’t defend you earlier, Lucie. I promise I will do better next time. Make sure you avoid the route to the main complex so that you don’t bump into your dad.”
Lucie grabbed the number and pecked a kiss on her mum’s cheek. Lucie’s eyes were sore. She saw her reflection briefly inthe mirror. They were swollen and red from crying too, but she didn’t have time to worry about that. She had to meet Chris. Hopefully, he waited for her. He’d understand once she told him everything.
She ran downstairs and caught a glimpse of Emma and Jess as she flew through the living room area.
Lucie threw herself through the door, and headed for the road but a hand grabbed at her.
She turned to find Emma. She must have jumped out the house after her. Emma stood in the pouring rain, barefoot in just joggers and a hoody. She swiped at tears as she met Lucie’s stare. “I’m sorry, Lucie. I’m so sorry.”
Lucie stuttered, but words wouldn’t come out.
“I was horrible to Chris. I’m the worst sister.” Sobs shook her body as Lucie pulled her back under the porch. Lucie needed to get to Chris, but the vulnerability across her sister’s face made her heart ache. “I don’t understand why I’ve been acting so bratty. But you really like him, don’t you?
Lucie nodded. “He’s funny and stupid and really fit. And he makes me feel like I don’t need to be scared to be me anymore. I want to be his girlfriend. Have you ever liked someone like that?”
Emma turned to the doorway but quickly turned back to Lucie. “Yeah, I guess. But more importantly, I love this side of you. You were amazing when you stood up to dad. I couldn’t look away. Do you forgive me?” Emma moved from foot to foot and looked to the concrete floor.
Lucie yanked her into a hug that filled her with an instant warmth. “Whatever happens with Chris, it’s still you and me. I love you, Emma. And you’re allowed one mistake,” she whispered in her ear.
Emma beamed back at her. “I love you like Dec loves Ant.”
“And Ant loves Dec,” Lucie replied. Everything was forgiven, and their sisterly love and friendship was back on track. Emma pushed Lucie into the rain, and she bolted down the road in the summer storm.
Emma shouted, “Thank you for being the best big sister in the world. Go get your man!” It was like something out of one of their mum’s television shows. Lucie laughed as Emma gave her a double fist pump. Her words carried as far as Lucie before dying in the wind.
This was it. Her whole future was based on this moment. She was going to get her man.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Heavy rain beat down on her as she sprinted down the path towards the beach. Droplets of water bounced off the ground as she dodged the puddles. The sound of the rain hitting the trees and crashing into leaves made the moment appear mystical, but she didn’t have time to stop and listen. Strands of her fringe stuck to her face, and the rain poured down her cheeks. It dripped off the trees, landing in big globs of water around her.
She checked her watch. It was five to eight, and she wasn’t close. Inside lodges, families celebrated their last night before returning home. Laughter and loud conversations pushed through the sound of the downpour, but she continued running without glancing further at them. Her dress, a pink cotton thing she’d borrowed from Jess to wear for dinner, and her meet up with Chris, clung to her legs. It was soaked through and made it tricky to run. Her thighs burnt from the speed. The stone path was slippery in places, and for a second, she imagined slipping and breaking her leg.
Be the exception.
Her heartbeat was rapid, and her chest ached from breathing in the air now chilled from the rain. If she stopped for one second, she’d sob again. But she didn’t have time to cry. She had to get to Chris. Lucie blinked rapidly to clear the drops that settled in her eyelashes as she attempted to get her bearings, but the driving rain that showed no signs of stopping made it impossible to hear or see where she was. She paused briefly on the path and searched for a sign. Suddenly someone pushed her from behind, nearly shoving her into the bushes. Lucie gripped the phone number in her hand tighter. She couldn’t lose it.
“Why would you stop in the path, you silly girl?” an angry woman holding the hand of a small child said. Her gloweringface peeked out from under the hood of her yellow raincoat. Lucy shrunk under her stare.
“I’m really sorry,” Lucie stuttered as she rubbed her now sore shoulder. “I didn’t think. I—”
“No, you didn’t think. You’re another one of those selfish teenagers,” the stranger replied. “Maybe you should think about others rather than what you want.” But Lucie wasn’t selfish, and the woman hadn’t needed to walk into her. There was plenty of path. Lucie’s teeth scrapped at her bottom lip. She should tell her that, but instead she listened, her head slumped, as the woman continued her lecture. After Lucie apologised several more times, the woman finally dragged her child away to the nearest lodge.
A tear slipped down Lucie’s cheek. Would she ever be free of her fear at speaking up? Chris had helped her so much, but it wasn’t enough.
